Moving on (again)

After our EO event in Auckland, Garry and I flew down to Tauranga for the weekend to join my family for Mum’s 79th Birthday. It was also an opportunity to visit Mum’s new rest home. Avid readers of my blog will recall that Mum moved into Copper Crest in early June. Unfortunately, this facility ultimately proved unsuitable for reasons I won't bother to rehash here. After several incredibly stressful and traumatic weeks in August, we eventually found Mum a new place to live.

In early September she moved into Avida Bethlehem Views in northern Tauranga. This has proven to be a godsend. The home is closer to the Mount and easier to get to (it’s just a block off the main highway out of town). I’m delighted to report that Mum seems more settled and contented with herself.

Her new room looks and feels like a cozy studio apartment. It’s a lot more spacious and homely than Copper Crest with windows on two sides that give it a wonderfully light and airy presence. One bank of windows looks out over a park filled with mature trees. The surrounding common areas inside and out are also more spacious than Copper Crest and feel more like a regular home (or an upmarket hotel). I feel so much more at peace with where she’s living now.

For Mum's birthday, the family organized a picnic in the park next door. We set up tables and chairs and spent a couple of hours eating, drinking, and laughing in the Spring sunshine. Mum seemed to enjoy the day. We’ll be back again in December to join everyone for Christmas. It’ll be the first time we’ve all come together over the festive season since 2018.

UPDATE: 12 October

Mum's home has finally been sold. It's the end of an era. Matt and Shelley's new neighbour is a semi-retired man from Auckland with family who live in the neighbourhood. They're both grateful that their new neighbour is unlikely to be hosting wild parties any time soon.